All alone in Berlin

Well, that is not all true – there are thousands of runners here. I heard 34.000 mentioned. And then me. What am I doing here?, I thought to myself just a few minutes ago. I have not been able to train f the last 2,5 months, so I will not run strong, like I was planning for. My plans all went out the window with an everlasting cold and a much to busy line of work. I am counting on “routine” to finish tomorrow´s half marathon. (If anyone had said to me like 1-2 years ago that I would ever claim routine on a 21.1 km run, I would have called them crazy, but hey…)
It is not routine these days. If you want to push yourself pace-wise it is really hard to run a half marathon. But when you just want to finish, run the city to look at the surroundings and tourist attractions, just like a normal weekly long run, then it is less hard.
Like I said – I have not been running much. My plan on minimum 50K weeks is long gone down the drain or out the window. I will be getting back to it, but as it is, I have only been doing the odd run once in a while. Easter vacation made it possible to get in 2 runs – staying at our country cottage in Jeløy (Moss, Norway) is excellent as it provides great surroundings for running. I had two good runs, 11K each, with “rolling hills” that demands both breath and muscle, me lacking both these days 😉 I decided that the flat 21K in Berlin would be easy breezy compared to it.

Well, it won’t. I am sure.

Running aside – I am feeling a bit alone. I spot runners everywhere – we get this green band around our wrist when we pick up our bib – but they are all in pairs or bigger groups. I never thought I would go to Berlin all alone when I first signed up for it, but as it was – none of my running buddies was able to tag along. So today I have been walking the streets, skipping out on my pre paid massage, have tried out some puma shoes which I did not bye – and had the most boring club sandwich for lunch. Back at the hotel, I tried to get comfortable in my tiny room, but #thesmallesthotelroomever does not have anything but the bed. Sorry Monbijou hotel – the room is nice and all, but a chair would be nice.

After some time on the bed and on Facebook, I brought my mac with me to the lobby, where I sit by the fire place and drink sparkling water. I should have been out having dinner, but I don´t feel like it. Not good for my energy levels tomorrow, I know, but I think I´d rather go to bed soon. Will be getting up really early to have breakfast. All runners are supposed to be at the starting area around 8:45 and I prefer using the bathroom at the hotel before heading over there.

So this is it for now. My feeling of loneliness is worse than the idea of running 21.2K tomorrow. If you are in Berlin right now, running tomorrow, please take notice if you see a lonesome runner. We might be desperate to talk to someone!